MDSI upgrades five-axis machining software

Ann Arbor, Mich. - Manufacturing Data Systems Inc. (MDSI) has released OpenCNC Version 6.2, said to increase machine performance by up to 25%. The latest release also extends five-axis machining and probing capabilities.

By Control Engineering Staff April 15, 2002

Ann Arbor, Mich. – Manufacturing Data Systems Inc. (MDSI) has released OpenCNC Version 6.2, said to increase machine performance by up to 25%. The latest release also extends five-axis machining and probing capabilities.

The OpenCNC software architecture combines multi-axis interpolation and servo update in one process or interrupt, resulting in higher cutting speeds and improved part quality. The software also provides high-speed machining through adaptive look-ahead, a method of dynamically adapting cutting speeds based on part program tolerances and machine dynamics. In Version 6.2, MDSI has built upon both of these features and also enhanced the servo algorithms – resulting in increases in cutting speeds of up to 25% over the previous version of the OpenCNC software.

‘Our high-speed and five-axis aerospace customers in particular have been very appreciative of the performance levels they’re achieving with our OpenCNC software,’ says James R. Fall, president and ceo, MDSI. ‘This latest 6.2 release of our software continues our leadership in five-axis machining.’

Also in Version 6.2, MDSI expanded Rotary Tool Center Point (RTCP) compensation capability, which enables programming from the center point of the cutting tool for five-axis machining. This eliminates the need to re-post process part programs when the tool length changes, thereby reducing set-up time. By providing rotary axis compensation, which automatically compensates a five-axis machine for parts that have not been mounted in the center of a fixture, part set-up time is reduced.

In addition to the standard probing capability bundled with OpenCNC since 1993, Version 6.2 users gain sphere probing, slot probing, and inspection probing cycles. The ability to output probing results through MDSI’s patented Significant Events technology gives manufacturers the ability to improve part quality by implementing lean manufacturing and Six Sigma techniques.

Among several other technology improvements, OpenCNC Version 6.2 also includes:

The Yaskawa Mechatrolink digital drive interface for Yaskawa servo, spindle, and digital/analog I/O products.

Real-time deterministic Ethernet I/O, which is included as a standard item in OpenCNC. The MDSI real-time Ethernet I/O has been running in production at select MDSI customer sites for over a year, but now in Version 6.2, it will be included at no extra cost for all MDSI customers.

Control Engineering Daily News DeskGary A. Mintchell, senior editor gmintchell@cahners.com